Universal Studios Hollywood — Lunar New Year

Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates Lunar New Year and the “Year of the Rat”

By Erin

Universal Studios Lunar New Year January 23rd through February 9th

 It’s the Year of the Rat and Universal Studios Hollywood has lots in store to celebrate the occasion! Universal Studios Hollywood ushers in the “Year of the Rat,” the first of the Chinese zodiac animals, as the theme park celebrates with the Lunar New Year event from Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 9. Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to the theme park.

This spectacular themed Lunar New Year event will take place within Universal Plaza, located at the heart of the theme park. Under a curtain of traditional red Chinese lanterns and stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, the festivities will come to life as guests discover the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes. Guests with birthday years that correspond with the “Year of the Rat” are said to be intelligent, witty and charming.

The immersive event will feature Po and Tigress from the thrilling “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” attraction who will greet guests and pose for engaging photos; Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop returns by popular demand to serve up delicious culture-themed food, and Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos. Guests can learn how to draw Po and take home the drawing as a keepsake memento and, on select days, community cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances will round out the program.

Universal Studios Lunar New Year Hello Kitty

Beloved global pop icon Hello Kitty, created by the lifestyle brand Sanrio, further complements this year’s Lunar New Year celebration when she steps out in style wearing her signature red bow and specially designed Lunar New Year attire. Hello Kitty will be available to meet guests at the Hello Kitty Shop located within the Animation Studio Store.

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, MEGATRON from the TRANSFORMERS franchise will be speaking Mandarin while interacting with guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing robot leader of the DECEPTICONS will engage attendees in real-time conversation reflective of his persona and will be sure to entertain TRANSFORMERS fans visiting the park.  MEGATRON is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the theme park’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride will add to the festivities, entertaining guests in their brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

The world-famous Studio Tour is available in Mandarin at select times throughout the day. Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides, the experience provides insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest production studios in the world. In-language park maps are also available for guests.

Guests can continue their Lunar New Year celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant which features upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine. Inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo, Dongpo Kitchen offers the comforts of a casual dining environment with both indoor and al fresco seating and caters to an eclectic palate with a variety of signature dishes.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Mandarin-speaking guests can learn more about the Lunar New Year event at www.ush.cn.  Information is also available on FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube and Weibo @好莱坞环球影城.

Celebrating the Year of the Golden Rooster at Ontario Mills Mall!

Celebrating the Year of the Golden Rooster at Ontario Mills Mall!

By Erin

*This is a sponsored post*

This past Saturday, Ontario Mills celebrated the Year of the Rooster with traditional performances, activities and giveaways to commemorate the Lunar New Year. Guests were treated to sensational performances by cultural lion dancers, Kung Fu masters and towering stilt walkers in addition to fun activities and exclusive giveaways to ring in The Year of the Rooster. It was a great time for all. What better time to go to the mall than on Lunar New Year this year; Saturday, January 28, 2017? Traditionally, the celebration goes on for 15 days, so we are still in the festival mode.

When I arrived the finishing touches were being added and the crew was busy setting up for the celebration full of food, drink, kid’s activities, live performances, give-a-ways and more.

Lunar New Year Ontario

There were shiny gold and red balloons and lanterns everywhere. Crowds of people started lining up by the event tables, waiting for their chance to spin the wheel for a prize.

There was a long line to spin the wheel. You can spin a wheel to win prizes which included T-Shirts, gift bags, fans, candy and more.

A huge thank you to Teavana for the delicious drinks and Wetzel’s Pretzels for the yummy treats. Of course there were Fortune Cookies, they were so festive and delicious too. Almond Cookies and pretzel bites were also on hand for all to enjoy.

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Ontario Mills Lights Up the Lunar New Year

Ontario Mills Lights Up the Lunar New Year

By Erin

*This is a sponsored post*

California’s largest outlet and value retail shopping destination, Ontario Mills, is celebrating the Year of the Rooster with traditional performances, activities and giveaways on January 28. This Spring Festival is to commemorate the Lunar New Year. On Saturday, January 28th, guests will be treated to sensational performances by cultural lion dancers, Kung Fu masters and towering stilt walkers in addition to fun activities and exclusive giveaways to ring in The Year of the Rooster. I am looking forward to all of this year’s festivities.

As January 28th officially kicks off this year’s Lunar New Year, Ontario Mills joins in the celebration. Starting at 1:30 p.m. in Fashion Alley, guests will be treated to face painters, balloon artists, a themed photo booth and a special Teavana tea station with cookies, all available while supplies last.  The performances will begin at 1:30 p.m. with theatrical stilt performers, dressed in ceremonial costumes, walking and greeting guests. To follow, five professional Kung Fu martial artists will perform individual routines at 2:30 p.m. For the grand finale, the Ane Thanh Lion Dance Group will perform a traditional and honorary lion dance show with live drumming and cymbals at 3:30 p.m.

“From the diversity of the Inland Empire to the international guests hailing from over 80 different countries worldwide, we’re proud to host an event celebrating culture and custom,” said Lisa Restaino Morony, Director of Marketing at Ontario Mills. “As Ontario Mills has celebrated countless milestones this past year, we’re looking forward to what fortunes The Year of the Rooster will continue to bring.”

The festivities continue throughout the day with exclusive prizes from 1 p.m. through 4 p.m. Guests who spend $55 or more and present their receipts at the Lunar New Year informational table in Fashion Alley, will receive either a Lunar New Year tote or special hand-fan, while supplies last. Ontario Mills will also be distributing Lunar New Year Offer Guides featuring over 20 special retailer offers from January 27 through February 19.

For more information and further updates, visit http://www.ontariomills.com, and follow Ontario Mills on Facebook, on Twitter and Instagram.

About Ontario Mills

Ontario Mills, California’s largest outlet and value retail shopping destination, offers the ultimate shopping experience with more than 200 outlet and value retail stores, including Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Coach Factory Store, UNIQLO, Ulta Beauty, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Forever 21, J.Crew Factory, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, Hollister Co. Outlet, Michael Kors, Tory Burch Outlet and Nike Factory Store. Shoppers can enjoy dining and entertainment venues such as Market Broiler, Rainforest Cafe, Dave & Buster’s, Blaze Pizza, Johnny Rockets, GameWorks, Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre and AMC 30 Theatres.

For more information on Ontario Mills, please call (909) 484-8300, visit www.OntarioMills.com or follow Ontario Mills on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OntarioMills, Twitter at www.twitter.com/ShopOntario and Instagram at www.instagram.com/shopontario.

About The Mills®, A Simon Company

The Mills®, one of Simon Property Group’s five real estate platforms, offers a unique brand of shopping with a mix of popular name brand outlets, value retailers and full-price stores, plus family-oriented dining and entertainment concepts. The Mills’ are well located in major metropolitan markets and many are recognized as leading tourism destinations. Notable properties include Arundel Mills (Baltimore), Gurnee Mills (Chicago), Grapevine Mills (Dallas), Ontario Mills (Los Angeles), Opry Mills (Nashville), Potomac Mills (Washington, DC) and Sawgrass Mills (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami).

About Simon 

Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and an S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales. For more information, visit simon.com.